Special Spaces

Mission:
It is the mission of Special Spaces to help make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses by designing and creating their dream bedrooms, giving these children a joyful environment in their own home in which to heal and recover. Results:
We have completed over 400 room makeovers since 2004. Target demographics:
make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses Direct beneficiaries per year:
sick children and their families nationwide! Geographic areas served:
states nationwide Programs:
Special Spaces bedroom makeovers, which give sick children the bedrooms of their dreams!

Community Reviews

Since the Secret Millionaire aired in March of 2011 so many lives have been changed, mine included. Our Special Spaces affiliates are not only “Changing Children’s Lives One Bedroom at a Time” we’re also changing the lives of their friends and families, the lives of our dedicated volunteers, the sponsors of our rooms, businesses in our communities who have donated countless items….the list is endless. It’s difficult to describe the feeling that comes from the smiles on the faces of “our” children and their families at the end of our makeover day when they come home to see what has been created just for them. I’m blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I feel blessed to be a part of Special Spaces. It is an amazing national non-profit organization. Helping to change children's lives around the country who have life challenging illnesses. The organization began in 2004 and will be celebrating the 10th anniversary this coming year! We have had the pleasure to work with many talented and skilled professionals along with creative volunteers who come together in a day to recreate a child's dream bedroom makeover. Special Spaces has dynamic Directors around the country all making a difference to those children and families in their own communities. You will never regret a minute of energy you spend in helping to transform and make a difference in the lives of these resilient children. It has been a rewarding experience!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

When my friend, Lynn Wall, asked me to be a part of the Special Spaces team I was both excited and a bit nervous. Excited, because I loved the idea of helping such young people get through such difficult times. Nervous because I already had a busy life, and I wasn't sure how I'd feel giving up some of my precious down time. It's been 2 years since Lynn asked me to join her team, and I have never once regretted saying "yes". We bring happiness to the lives of children facing unimaginable obstacles. We get to see their smiles and hear their screams of excitement when they see how we've brought their dreams to life. We get to see the tears of joy in their parents eyes, as some of the sad memories melt away and are replaced with more joyful ones. The challenges these children and their families deal with every day is more than most people will face in a lifetime. I'm so happy to be a part of an organization that brings them happiness.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I started the Columbus, OH chapter in November 2011 and have since completed 10 room makeovers. After spending 10 years in the nonprofit field, I chose to start a chapter of Special Spaces rather than create a new nonprofit from scratch because I could see what an amazing organization founder Jennifer Swain has created. She and the national board of directors have made working with Special Spaces a wonderful experience. Their expertise in the field has ensured I have all of the tools and resources I need to have a successful chapter! Each and every director has such a caring heart and we are all able to be successful in helping sick children because of the support we receive from the national organization. I love being a part of Special Spaces and look forward to many more room makeovers in the future.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I first heard about Special Spaces through a makeover they did for my cousin's son Logan. I have been a fan ever since. It is amazing what they do to bring a bit of happiness to the children's lives. Keep up the good work Special Spaces!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I first saw an article about Special Spaces in a magazine a few months before I contacted Jennifer Swain, the founder. Not long after I first heard about Special Spaces, I was required by my school program (I was/still am a full time interior design student) to find an internship for a semester. I immediately knew that I wanted to reach out to Special Spaces. Jennifer let me dive right in at the Knoxville branch and during my internship I was in charge of two room makeovers. Even after my internship was over, I stayed on with Special Spaces and completed three more rooms. Since then I have become a co-director for the Knoxville branch. I love this organization so much! Not only are all of the volunteers awesome, but the experience of giving something wonderful to a child and family going through a difficult time cannot be matched.

If you are contemplating volunteering, or donating money or time to this organization, do not hesitate! These children deserve every bit of happiness and joy that comes their way.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

In 2011 I joined Special Spaces as the director of the Orange County chapter. Special Spaces' mission touched me on a personal level. When I was 16 years old my 14 year old brother was struck with a childhood illness that had him in & out of hospitals for the next 20 years. He passed away at the age of 34 leaving behind a 3 year old son & 8 year old daughter. I know what these children & their families are going through. I knew that giving a child a dream bedroom where they could escape & feel normal & just be a kid would be rewarding but I was not prepared for how much these families would give me. I feel so blessed to be taken into their homes & their lives. The children, families, volunteers, donors, and retail stores that help us do what we do have shown me the most beautiful side of humanity. Denise Sutherland

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I became involved as a Special Spaces Director in 2011 and it has changed my life!

While our goal is to create a special space for a child in need and to help make their life a little better we are doing so much more! Not only have we been able to make children's lives better but I feel that doing this work has improved my life as well as our many wonderful volunteers.

It is awesome receiving emails from volunteers the night of a makeover telling us how much fun they had being involved with the makeover and asking when the next makeover is! Everyone should get involved with Special Spaces!

I love being able to work with an organization that has become a Family!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I became involved with Special Spaces a couple of years ago while in design school. School encouraged us to seek out and volunteer. I located Special Spaces and discovered that there was a child's room that needed a makeover in Nashville, TN. I was part of the makeover from the very beginning of the process to the reveal. I've since completed 6 rooms. I've volunteeed for other organizations but never met the families we were helping. At Special Spaces, we meet and interact with the family and the child getting to know them and they are so excited to have been chosen for a room makeover and see how many people come to volunteer. The room reveal is the best part of the day. To see their reaction of what was accomplished in one day and how much they love the new room is a very rewarding experience. Doing these room makeovers gives the child a place to retreat that makes them feel safe and comfortable. The response I hear the most is "my child doesn't want to leave their room" and that makes it all worthwhile.